Healthy Schools

Public Health Nurses in Schools

Limited direct services to schools due to COVID-19

Due to the ongoing emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Healthy Families School Public Health Nurses are providing limited direct services to schools.

Public Health Nurses (PHNs) work with schools to support the health and well-being of children and youth.

All schools receive access to school-aged population health information and resources through the Healthy Schools website. Some schools receive targeted services, meaning regular PHN support. These schools were identified through a collaborative process between Public Health Services and School Boards, informed by population health assessment data.

Resources for schools

Types of resources for schools include:

  • Concusions and Injury Prevention
  • Healthy Eating and Food Safety
  • Healthy Sexuality
  • Immunization
  • Infectious Disease Prevention
  • Mental Health Promotion
  • Oral and Visual Health
  • Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour
  • Substance Use and Harm Reduction
  • Violence and Bullying

Nurse services for all schools

All schools receive universal services. Contact your School PHN for support with:

Nurse services for targeted schools

School’s with targeted services may receive additional PHN support to:

  • Inform and assist in developing health and well-being goals as identified on the School Improvement Plan (SIP) or School Annual Plan (SAP)
  • Engage and support student, staff and community groups in identifying health goals and comprehensive action plans
  • Support high-quality, board approved classroom resources
  • Co-facilitate evidence-informed, board approved Social Emotional Learning Groups
  • Connect the school to community resources
  • Consult with Principals and Teachers on Ministries of Health and Education guidelines and policies
  • Support coordination of other Public Health school-based services as needed
  • Provide individual and family support with health system navigation and access to health and community resources
  • Provide information and/or resources on a variety of health topics through individual consultation or staff meetings.  Health topics include: